infantilize

[ in-fuhn-tl-ahyz, -tahy-lahyz, in-fan-tl-ahyz ]

/ ˈɪn fən tlˌaɪz, -taɪˌlaɪz, ɪnˈfæn tlˌaɪz /

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verb (used with object), in·fan·til·ized, in·fan·til·iz·ing.

to keep in or reduce to an infantile state.

to treat or regard as infantile or immature.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Also especially British, in·fan·til·ise .

Origin of infantilize

1940–45; infantile + -ize, or by back formation from infantilization

OTHER WORDS FROM infantilize

in·fan·til·i·za·tion, noun

Words nearby infantilize

infanticide, infantile, infantile autism, infantile paralysis, infantilism, infantilize, infantine, infant prodigy, infantry, infantry fighting vehicle, infantryman

How to use infantilize in a sentence

“It is infantilizing to say that the way we get information is to ask an expert and have them just give it to us,” Bender said.
How DeepMind thinks it can make chatbots safer|Melissa Heikkilä|September 27, 2022|MIT Technology Review
It is infantilizing to say that the way we get information is to ask an expert and have them just give it to us.
Chatbots could one day replace search engines. Here’s why that’s a terrible idea.|Will Douglas Heaven|March 29, 2022|MIT Technology Review
In other words, a time when audiences hadn’t yet been infantilized into a steady diet of comic-book escapism and supernatural fantasy.
Jessica Walter and George Segal personified a time when movies grew up|Ann Hornaday|March 26, 2021|Washington Post
But somehow, over the years, sororities have come to infantilize the women they once sought to empower.
Frat Culture's Woman Problem|Samantha Wishman|April 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Not only do these "gifts" raise tax issues, they also infantilize the senator and makes him look foolish.
GOP Plots Ensign's Ouster|Margaret Carlson|July 16, 2009|DAILY BEAST